For many people, meat is part of a healthy, omnivorous diet, but if you haven't made the commitment to use organic meat, you might want to reconsider. The benefits of organic meat more than make up for the increase in their cost, according to "Consumer Reports," whose 2007 investigation into the organic market concluded that meat was one of the items that should be organic whatever the cost. If you are put off by the higher price tag, keep in mind that eating less meat of better quality is a healthier diet option, and make the commitment to better eating with organic meat.
More Omega-3s
Meat that comes from pasture-raised organic cattle, chickens and swine has significantly more Omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised meat, according to Mother Earth News, because pasture-fed animals consume Omega-3s produced by photosynthesis in grass. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, allergies, depression and autoimmune disorders.
More Good Fat
Organic meat contains conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, a type of fatty acid that may reduce your risk of certain kinds of cancer, according to Mother Earth News. Organic meat has about five times more CLA than conventionally raised meat.
Lower Calories and Fat
According to Mother Earth News, eating 6 oz. of steak from a conventionally raised, grain-fed steer gives you 100 calories more than a same-size steak from an organically raised, grass-fed steer. In general, meat from conventionally raised animals comes with more saturated fat and more calories than organic meats, making organic meat a smarter choice for people who are trying to maintain healthy diets.
Fewer Toxins
Opting for organic meat significantly reduces the risk that you'll be exposed to toxins, including the toxin that is believed to cause mad cow disease. Conventionally raised meat is also more likely to have trace amounts of antibiotics or hormones, which may be given to animals to help them develop or produce, according to a study conducted by "Consumer Reports" magazine. Pesticides are also more common in conventionally raised meat than in organic meat.
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